She lived an amazing long life, spanning the early years of ballet in America to the golden age of Hollywood. She worked with Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (on White Christmas), Marilyn Monroe and many more. She lived to see her great grandchildren grow to be teens and became friends with and bound her adult students together.
I started taking her classes when she was already in her late 70s.She taught until her physical health deteriorated in her late 90s.
Last year we were able to celebrate her 101st birthday with two parties. There was a small tea party for the people who helped carpool her to class in the last 14 years. I found a place that did a take away tea set which turned out to be terrific. There followed a larger garden party in her yard bringing in her local family plus a larger circle of her dance students.
I also know a few of my non-dance friends enjoyed meeting and talking to her at my holiday parties over the years.
While those of us who knew her will miss her, we have great memories.
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